Cheat on your spouse, go to jail in Michigan? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

OILFAN #81 · 01-20-2007, 02:36 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070118...t_070118055859

Interesting read, that's for sure.

Nehkara · 01-20-2007, 03:28 AM

That is utterly absurd. I know it won't happen but if anyone is ever convicted and sentenced, I think I might just have to arrange a trip to Michigan to protest.

Thunderball · 01-20-2007, 10:23 AM

Life in prison is a little extreme, but really... if people can't be trusted to respect the bonds of marriage and divorce the person if they want to bang other people, maybe the government has to step in and punish them for reprehensible conduct.

Nehkara · 01-20-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Life in prison is a little extreme, but really... if people can't be trusted to respect the bonds of marriage and divorce the person if they want to bang other people, maybe the government has to step in and punish them for reprehensible conduct.

A little extreme... hah. Adultery is, undeniably, a very bad thing. However, if it is sex between two willing adults, the criminal justice system should not even think of being involved... nevermind them contemplating sending someone to jail for life. It is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard.

Flash Walken · 01-20-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Life in prison is a little extreme, but really... if people can't be trusted to respect the bonds of marriage and divorce the person if they want to bang other people, maybe the government has to step in and punish them for reprehensible conduct.

You're absolutely right, the government should for sure regulate the people we find attractive and interesting.

CaramonLS · 01-20-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nehkara

A little extreme... hah. Adultery is, undeniably, a very bad thing. However, if it is sex between two willing adults, the criminal justice system should not even think of being involved... nevermind them contemplating sending someone to jail for life. It is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard.

But is adultery really just between 2 consenting adults?

I think you're leaving out the part where someone gets hurt.

FlamingLonghorn · 01-20-2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

But is adultery really just between 2 consenting adults?

I think you're leaving out the part where someone gets hurt.

Yeah well someone gets hurt when they get laid off, called dirty names, ignored, etc... We can't send people to jail everytime someones feelings get hurt.

Nehkara · 01-20-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sowa

Yeah well someone gets hurt when they get laid off, called dirty names, ignored, etc... We can't send people to jail everytime someones feelings get hurt.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

But is adultery really just between 2 consenting adults?

I think you're leaving out the part where someone gets hurt.

Sowa, you are dead on. If you start sending people to prison for life for what comes down to hurting someones feelings, things will degenerate very rapidly.

Even if you argue that it is worse than "hurt feelings"... say a broken heart for example, you would also have to start sending people to jail if they break up with someone who loves them.

It is all just stupidity to a level almost unimaginable.

Edit: Can you imagine the jail cell conversation?

Joe: What are you in for?

Fred: Murder. Threw my wife from our 5th storey balcony. Sucks I got caught. What are you in for?

Joe (now terrified): Uh... I had a quickie with my secretary one time while I was drunk.

(Hysterical laughing echoes throughout the prison for hours.)

Thunderball · 01-20-2007, 05:27 PM

Well then, why can we sue people or send them to prison for breaching a contract? That's just a person doing what they feel is right for them. By your logic, who cares if someone gets hurt. Hell, why enforce domestic violence and sexual harassment? I mean, you're just flashing your genitals, or just "correcting" your wife for burning the roast.

Adultery is essentially the same thing, a breach of a contract, namely, marriage. Getting married means you can't run around having sex with anyone you want... if you want that freedom, don't get married. The government solemnizes marriage, its about time they enforce them.

Burninator · 01-20-2007, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Well then, why can we sue people or send them to prison for breaching a contract? That's just a person doing what they feel is right for them. By your logic, who cares if someone gets hurt. Hell, why enforce domestic violence and sexual harassment? I mean, you're just flashing your genitals, or just "correcting" your wife for burning the roast.

Adultery is essentially the same thing, a breach of a contract, namely, marriage. Getting married means you can't run around having sex with anyone you want... if you want that freedom, don't get married. The government solemnizes marriage, its about time they enforce them.

I've never heard of someone getting thrown in jail for breaching a contract. Sueing yes. But jail for breaking a contract?

Thunderball · 01-20-2007, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

I've never heard of someone getting thrown in jail for breaching a contract. Sueing yes. But jail for breaking a contract?

It depends on the type of contract, and the action performed in the breach of contract. Its not overly common, but it happens.

Burninator · 01-20-2007, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderball

It depends on the type of contract, and the action performed in the breach of contract. Its not overly common, but it happens.

If the action that broke the contract is against the law then the breaching of contract isn't what's putting you jail, whatever law you broke is. I always that breaching of contract would result in damages in the form of money or services.

If I hire you to mow my lawn and we both sign a contract, and you break that contract by not mowing my lawn. That breach of contract would result in money or services not jail. Or, if you break the contract by not mowing my lawn and stealing my lawn mower in the process then you would go to jail. Not for breach of contract but for theft.

But if you have an example then I'll concede.

Nehkara · 01-20-2007, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Well then, why can we sue people or send them to prison for breaching a contract? That's just a person doing what they feel is right for them. By your logic, who cares if someone gets hurt. Hell, why enforce domestic violence and sexual harassment? I mean, you're just flashing your genitals, or just "correcting" your wife for burning the roast.

Adultery is essentially the same thing, a breach of a contract, namely, marriage. Getting married means you can't run around having sex with anyone you want... if you want that freedom, don't get married. The government solemnizes marriage, its about time they enforce them.

You are extending the argument too far. Domestic violence usually includes physical harm or the imminent danger of physical harm. Sexual harassment is also the perception of physical danger.

Breach of contract very rarely, as far as I can figure, ever results in a jail sentence. If a guy cheats, fine... sue him. Do not send him to jail for life. Simple as that.

Thunderball · 01-20-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

If the action that broke the contract is against the law then the breaching of contract isn't what's putting you jail, whatever law you broke is. I always that breaching of contract would result in damages in the form of money or services.

If I hire you to mow my lawn and we both sign a contract, and you break that contract by not mowing my lawn. That breach of contract would result in money or services not jail. Or, if you break the contract by not mowing my lawn and stealing my lawn mower in the process then you would go to jail. Not for breach of contract but for theft.

But if you have an example then I'll concede.

The type of contract I'm thinking of would have a penal clause, likely a contract with the government or military stating that a breach of contract would be a criminal offense punishable by a jail term or fine.

Also, if someone is unable or unwilling to provide financial restitution, that too would cause prison time. The argument with a adulterous "breach of contract" is that there is no financial remediation or satisfactory service to provide that would justifiably solve the situation, therefore the only other alternative is prison time. (Of course some would argue that enough money heals all wounds... but this is more of a "can't put a tangible money value on betrayal and breach of contract)

Thunderball · 01-20-2007, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nehkara

You are extending the argument too far. Domestic violence usually includes physical harm or the imminent danger of physical harm. Sexual harassment is also the perception of physical danger.

Breach of contract very rarely, as far as I can figure, ever results in a jail sentence. If a guy cheats, fine... sue him. Do not send him to jail for life. Simple as that.

How am I overextending it? Threats of physical harm, or perceptions of danger are not actual acts, yet they are prosecuted as if they were. The argument can be made that sexual harassment, sexual assault and adultery all have common factors. They involve dehumanizing, loss of trust, loss of self-respect, and the perception of harm. If adultery is considered a form of sexual abuse, then you have to punish offenders, as it is in considered in Michigan. Life is obviously going too far, especially considering Canadians are used to murderers getting 10 years and rapists getting 5.

Your idea that we should simply allow law suits for adulterers is concerning and dubious. Since what we would end up with is a system where money talks even more than before. This also begs the question... why have a criminal justice system at all, if we can just sue for financial justice?

RougeUnderoos · 01-20-2007, 06:30 PM

Ignoring the whole "this is crazy" aspect of jail-for-screwing, we just don't have the prison space to to put every adulterer in the klink. And since so many otherwise productive people would be in prison, we wouldn't have enough tax dollars coming in to build new superprisons to house them all.

But if we were to go this route, I say we start early. If you cheat on your girlfriend in junior high you go to juvy for a month. That'll learn 'em.

FlamingLonghorn · 01-20-2007, 07:16 PM

People who cheat on their spouses are punished if the other spouse has the actual willpower to divorce them. Cheaters generally get the short end of the stick in divorce court. That is their financial and sometimes emotional justice if child custody is involved.

jolinar of malkshor · 01-20-2007, 10:42 PM

Are there really people out there that think we should be putting people in jail for cheating??? I guess so.....God help us if they ever get into power.

troutman · 01-20-2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sowa

People who cheat on their spouses are punished if the other spouse has the actual willpower to divorce them. Cheaters generally get the short end of the stick in divorce court. That is their financial and sometimes emotional justice if child custody is involved.

Not true in Canada. There is no blame attached to adultery in determining division of property and support. It may have minimal relevance in custody cases. Adultery only allows you to get divorced sooner than the normal one year seperation period.

I practiced family law for about 10 years. This law in Michigan is stupid, and probably unconstitutional.

In my experience, I see that there are many different kinds of marriages and arrangements. You would be surprised to learn how few married couples even share the same bed room after a few years of marriage.